Sri Parshva Ekadashi (Parivartini / Vamana Ekadashi)पार्श्व एकादशी

When Maharaja Yudhishthira asked Lord Sri Krishna about the Ekadashi of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada, the Lord replied: "This is the famous Parshva Ekadashi — also called Parivartini, because on this day I, lying in yoga-nidra on Sesha Naga, turn to My other side. It is also known as Vamana Ekadashi, for it commemorates the wonderful pastime of My dwarf incarnation. Let Me narrate it to you."

In ages past there ruled in the three worlds a most powerful daitya named Bali — grandson of the great devotee Prahlada Maharaja. By his austerities and the strength of his lineage Bali had defeated Indra, conquered the heavenly planets and brought even the demigods under his rule. Yet he was also famously charitable, religious and devoted. He was performing a great Ashvamedha sacrifice when Lord Sri Vishnu, on the request of Aditi (the mother of the demigods), descended as the dwarf brahmana-boy Vamana.

The young Vamana, with His golden complexion, sacred thread, palasha staff and umbrella, walked into Bali's sacrificial arena. Bali's preceptor Shukracharya at once recognised that this dwarf was none other than Lord Vishnu and warned the king not to give Him anything. But Bali was the grandson of Prahlada. He smiled and said: "How can I turn away the Supreme Lord Himself when He stands as a beggar at my door? Let me lose my kingdom — let me lose my life — I will not break my word." He humbly asked Lord Vamana what He desired.

"Only three steps of land," said the Lord, "measured by My own feet. Nothing more." Bali laughed at the apparently small request, took the sacred water of donation in his hand and poured it over the Lord's palm. The moment the gift was confirmed, Lord Vamana began to grow. In one step He covered the entire earth. In a second step He covered all the heavens. He then asked Bali: "Where shall I place My third step?" Bali, with tears of love in his eyes, bowed his head and said: "Place it here, on my head, my Lord. There is nothing else left to give."

Lord Vamana placed His lotus foot on Bali's head and pushed him gently down to the netherworld of Sutala. But because of Bali's perfect surrender and unflinching truthfulness, Lord Vishnu was so pleased that He gave the king a most extraordinary boon: "O Bali, you have given Me everything. I will therefore stand eternally at the door of your kingdom as your doorkeeper and protector. You shall become Indra in the next Manvantara. And on this very day — Parshva Ekadashi — anyone who fasts in My honour and worships My Vamana form will be freed from all sins and attain Me."

Thus, on this Ekadashi the Lord both turns in His mystic sleep and remembers His pastime with Bali Maharaja. Devotees worship Sri Vamana with offerings of yogurt, milk and bananas — the simple foods of a brahmacari boy. Lord Krishna concluded to Yudhishthira: "O king, observing Parshva Ekadashi gives the merit of performing thousands of Ashvamedha yajnas. Even one who simply hears its glories is delivered from the deepest sins and enters My eternal abode at the end of life."